Wind power is considered one of the cleanest, most environmentally friendly energy sources presently available, and wind turbines have gained increased attention in this regard. However, while being considered environmentally safe, wind turbines can pose a threat to bats. Specifically, it has been found that bats may have trouble detecting the rotating rotor blades of a wind turbine. As a result, bats can be struck by the rotor blades and killed. The occurrence of such bat strikes have led many to enact regulations and/or laws prohibiting and/or discouraging the placement of wind turbines in areas of high bat populations and/or restricting the operation of wind turbines at night.
Many believe that ultrasonic sound in the frequency range of about 25 kHz to about 100 kHz may be effective at deterring bats by interfering with both the bats’ natural sonar and their ability to hunt insects.
Patented method for producing an ultrasonic sound emission from a wind turbine. The method may generally include operating the wind turbine with a nozzle mounted on or within a non-blade component of the wind turbine and supplying a fluid flow through an outlet of the nozzle such that an ultrasonic sound emission is produced by the nozzle.
Patent Information
Patent Number: US 9,125,394
Patent Title: Ultrasonic sound emitting devices for wind turbines
Inventors: Kinzie; Kevin Wayne (Spartanburg, SC), Fischetti; Thomas Joseph (Fountain Inn, SC), Horn; Michael Glen (Saratoga Springs, NY)
Assignee: General Electric Company (Schenectady, NY)
Family ID: 1000001321572
Appl. No.: 13/753,957
Filed: January 30, 2013
Abstract: A wind turbine may include a tower, a nacelle mounted on the tower and a rotor coupled to the nacelle. The rotor may include a hub and at least one rotor blade extending from the hub. In addition, the wind turbine may include a nozzle mounted on or within the tower, the nacelle or the hub. The nozzle may include an inlet and an outlet. Moreover, the nozzle may be configured to accelerate a flow of fluid through the outlet such that an ultrasonic sound emission is produced by the nozzle.
Want a patent for your invention, share details with us for a free patent search – https://patentyogi.com/novelty-search/.
